At one point, the University of New Mexico estimated that 60 percent of native New Mexicans leave the state and only 2 percent ever come back, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

The ones most likely to leave have advanced degrees.

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It's a reality all three mayoral candidates tackled Sunday afternoon in a televised debate on KOAT.

Mayor Richard Berry, running for re-election, said his plan is to create a physical "enterprise zone" in the city for young people.

"We're going to take the research that comes out of UNM and we're going to help them to commercialize that research," Berry said. "Too many times we have the intellectual capital that's been created in the city of Albuquerque, but those jobs go elsewhere."

Candidate Pete Dinelli said the city needs to focus on education and making sure students are preparing for the type of jobs the city wants to attract.

"Education is the number one issue having an impact on being able to attract jobs to the Albuquerque area. That's why I believe we need to partner more closely with APS, CNM and UNM," Dinelli said.

Candidate Paul Heh went a different route, saying the road to success doesn't necessarily go through traditional college.

"A lot of people can't afford college, a lot of people don't have the aptitude to go to college," Heh says. "I want start trade schools, I want combine with CNM and charter schools and I want to teach trades."

Three different plans, but all the candidates agreed that something needs to be done to keep youth in Albuquerque.